The Bromeliad is a subtropical plant that you can encounter in nature, especially in South and Central America. The Pineapple also belongs to the Bromeliads. In the eighteenth century, the beauty of the Bromeliad was discovered by merchants from Belgium and taken to Europe. The Bromeliad brings color to the living room and you can purchase the plant at garden centers all year round. How do you care for a Bromeliad?
Content article
- Bromeliad
- Two groups of Bromeliads
- Bromeliad care
- Characteristics of some types of Bromeliads
- Grow a Bromeliad yourself
- Can a Bromeliad stand outside?
- Diseases that you can encounter with the Bromeliad
Bromeliad
The Bromeliad is a sister of the pineapple and therefore originally comes from the tropics. However, she is also doing well in our living room. It is a survivor and certainly not a greenhouse plant. In the wild, there are types of Bromeliads that grow on trees, without the involvement of soil. They are not parasitic plants, they do not take food from the tree. With their roots and leaves they extract moisture and nutrition from the air. Bird droppings are also used as food when they fall into the calyx. The Bromeliad serves as a shelter for poison dart frogs. For example, they choose a leaf for their clutches. After a few weeks, the larvae are taken to a tube (which always contains water). Some poison dart frog species receive a food egg from the ‘parents’, or the larvae feed on leaf litter. The larvae are left on their own to grow into frogs.
There are about twenty eight hundred species of Bromeliads in the wild and in addition about two hundred and fifty species have been added through breeding.
Two groups of Bromeliads
Terrestrial growing plants
- Examples: Hechtia, Puya, Dyckia, Ananas.
- These plants grow on the ground, often in heavy, stony soil. These terrestrial growing plants are hardly cultivated.
Epiphytic growing plants
- Examples: Aechmea, Tillandsia, Neoregelia, Vriesea.
- These plants naturally grow on trees, especially in the armpits of branches. They do not take food from the tree.
Bromeliad care
The Bromeliad likes a light spot, but not in full sun. A Bromeliad with thick leaves likes a dry environment, if a Bromeliad has thin leaves, put the plant somewhat moist.
The calyx of the plant can absorb water well through hairs and small scales. Therefore, water the plant in the heart of the plant, also called a tube. There may be constant water in the tube. Give the plant plant food in the water once a month.
Characteristics of some types of Bromeliads
A Bromeliad flowers once and on average for three to six months. There are different types of Bromeliads that vary in appearance. Some have pointed leaves, others serrated.
Aechmea
You can find the Achmea in white, red, red-orange, purple. Aechmea means lance point and you see that shape in the leaves;
Sometimes the Aechmea has seed berries that discolor. Water the plant in the calyx a few times a week.
Pineapple
This pineapple is not grown for consumption. This species of Bromeliad is an ornamental plant. The fruits are a lot smaller than the real pineapple, it is a kind of mini pineapple that grows in the Bromeliad. The color is a bit darker than the ‘normal’ pineapple.
Billbergia
The Billbergia is named after a lawyer from Sweden named Billberg. He was a lover of plants and has written a lot about them as well. The leaves of the Billbergia are long and green. They can be spotted, variegated, striped or even green, depending on the species. The flowers look impressive and have a short flowering time.
Crypthantus
The Crypanthus grows on earth and not in trees (terrestrial). The name comes from the Greek word: hidden flowers.
Guzmania
The Guzamania can be purchased in many colors. From white to red, yellow, purple. The Guzmania has generous flowers. The exuberant appearance stems from the area where they come from: the Caribbean.
Neoregelia
You can purchase the Neoregelia in purple, pink, orange and red, sometimes with white dots on the leaves. It is striking that the plant has no real flowers, it is heart leaves that slowly discolour.
Tillandsia
Within the family of the Tillandsia you have as many as seven hundred species. As for the colors: red, pink, orange in all kinds of shades. In the wild you will find Tillandsias that grow in trees, but also Tillandsias that grow on the ground. You can find them in rainforests and deserts.
Growing a Bromeliad yourself
It is very nice to grow such a colorful houseplant yourself. You will find the cuttings with the Bromeliad after flowering at the base of the plant. You should grow the cuttings to about half the size of the mother plant. Water the calyx for two weeks and then carefully remove the cutting, preferably with the root still attached. You put the cutting in a pot and after about a year the plant is ready to flower. Tip: to stimulate flowering you can pack the plant in a plastic bag that closes tightly, containing a ripe apple. Close the bag and let it stand for three to four days (then remove the bag and apple). The apple gives off a gas that makes the plant bloom. After a few months you will see a flower bud in the heart of the Bromeliad.
Can a Bromeliad stand outside?
The Bromeliad can go outside, but do not do it before mid-May. If necessary, cover them for the first time during the night hours. Place the plant in the shade, not full sun. For outside are very suitable: Aechmea, Neoregelia, Tillandsia, Billbergia and Ananas.
Diseases that you can encounter with the Bromeliad
Fortunately, the Bromeliad has little trouble with pests and diseases, but you can encounter the following problems:
- Pineapple mite: belongs to the soft skin mites.
- Californian thrips: a small insect that sucks sap from the leaves of plants.
- Diaspis bromeliae: scale insect.
- Exserohilum: attack by a fungus, with high air humidity or if the plants have been wet for a long time.
- Cold damage Guzmania: often shows as a white band on the leaf or discoloration of the bracts. It may be because too cold water is used for watering, but it may also be due to contact of the plant with too cold air during transport.
- Spider mite: an arachnid.
- Stromite.
- Tomato bronze spot virus: spots on the leaves, yellowing.
- Parthenotrips: small insect with wings that are white in color with a black band.